“Where’s the fire, Dr. Reese?” he asked, trying to match her pace. She may have been shorter than him, but her little legs carried her quickly.

She slowed down once they neared her office door. “Oh god, I’m sorry,” she said with another embarrassed expression. “I don’t know why I did that.” Her hands shook as she unlocked her office.

He followed her inside and watched her scurry around her desk, putting her things away. Something was wrong; Nervous Victoria was back. It was their first meeting all over again. “What’s wrong, darling?”

She paused to look up at him, actually seeing him for the first time. “Is that for me?” she asked in a warm voice.

He’d actually forgotten he held the potted orchid. “Yeah, I thought you might like something to brighten your office. It’s no Tanzanian Orchid, but the florist assured me it was just as hard to take care of.”

John exhaled as she giggled and finally approached him. She took the plant and gingerly stroked its full petals before hugging it to her chest. “This is beautiful, John,” she said in a soft voice. “And so thoughtful of you.”

To his surprise, she raised herself on her tiptoes and kissed his lips. Her soft hand rested on his chest as she balanced herself against him. John wrapped an arm around her waist and kissed her back. “You’re welcome.”

“I don’t think I greeted you correctly,” she admitted, her warm breath fluttering against his cheek. “I think I just got nervous about my students assuming... I don’t know what they would assume. I’m sorry.”

John felt the tension from her body melt away the longer he held her. “I certainly wasn’t expecting a kiss on sight,” he murmured, looking for a way to kiss her again. “I understand that you have to be professional.”

Her lips tugged into a tremulous smile. “I’m glad you’re here.”

“Are you hungry?” he asked, not wanting to let her go. Every lush curve conformed to his body, reminding him that she was made for his hands.

She waggled her eyebrows in a lascivious manner.

“For food,” John added quickly.

They shared an intimate laughter that lightened his heart. Okay, things are fine. They just had to find their footing and things would be as carefree as they had been last week. “I’m famished,” she said. “I had a lot of coffee before class and now I’m coming down.”

John released her. “Put the plant down and put your jacket on, I’m taking you downtown.”